Delta in the 1920s: A Living History Project

01/05/2025

At Delta Stageworks Theatre Society research is underway for 'A 1920s Murder Mystery' (May 31 at the Red Barn in Southlands Grange Centre for Farming & Food) where we bring real-world characters and events together with some fictional twists. Pictured here - Pansy May Studdard, who came to Delta in the early 1920s and set up a farm she called 'The Goat Ranch' and, capitalising on new US Prohibition laws, a rum-running operation and brothel. Our main research source is the historical account of her life, "Lord Don't Want Me, Devil Won't Take Me", by Jim Dwight and Gary Cullen, a great read! Image courtesy Delta Archives.

12/04/2025

🎭The 'Delta in the 1920s' living history theatre project is back! After a year's hiatus Delta Stageworks Theatre Society is in the works again, kicking off with A 1920s Murder Mystery featuring real life characters from Delta's past.

A 1920s Murder Mystery presented by Southlands Centre for Farming & Food
📅 Saturday, May 31 | 6:00 PM-10:00 PM 📍 Red Barn, Southlands Tsawwassen
🎟TICKETS: https://buytickets.at/deltastageworkstheatresociety/1654214

Step into the Roaring ‘20s and experience a thrilling night of mystery, jazz, and intrigue at Pansy May Stuttarts’ infamous cabaret on the Tsawwassen–Point Roberts border! Inspired by real characters and events from Delta’s Prohibition past, this immersive murder mystery is a benefit for the company's project exploring stories of early Delta history.

Featuring award-winning improviser JeffGladstone , your night of theatrical magic features:
🎷 Live jazz band
🍸 Speakeasy-style cocktails & charcuterie (cash bar)
✨ Dancing & 1920s glamour
19+ only
🎟️ Tickets Adult $75 and $63.75 Senior
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT CODE: BIRD15
🎟TICKETS: https://buytickets.at/deltastageworkstheatresociety/1654214
📞 Group reservations: 778-384-2949

Get 50/50 Tickets!! Connecting Place and People Delta Stageworks Theatre Society brings together experienced theatre artists and community-based theatre-makers to present innovative new theatre projects for Delta audiences. Using the theatre art practices of devised theatre, site-specific performanc...

09/03/2024

Did you know that the Royal BC Museum is currently partnering with various local arts, culture, and heritage organizations across the province to host a series of in-person Community Conversations to explore the future of the Royal BC Museum?

YOU have the opportunity to discuss together with your community "how the museum can be responsive, representative, welcoming, and inclusive for all visitors. Through a collaborative process, we will dive deeper into the themes that were emphasized in earlier dialogue. Our intention is to engage actively, welcome feedback, build meaningful relationships, and hear from diverse voices and perspectives." - Royal BC Museum

Here's a short list of just some of the upcoming sessions. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required.

⭐Qualicum Beach at the Qualicum Beach Museum - March 5 @ 1pm-4pm
⭐Vancouver at Science World - March 5 @ 6pm-8pm
⭐Rossland at the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre - March 6 @ 5:30pm-7pm
⭐New Wesminster at the New Westminster Museum & Archives - March 6 @ 6pm-8pm

Upcoming sessions will also take place in Victoria, Revelstoke, Kamloops, Langley, Fort Langley, and more. There will be a virtual session on Mar 13 @ 6pm-7:30pm.

📌Visit here for more information about the upcoming sessions and their locations and to register: https://ow.ly/i9hL50QIVFO

18/01/2024

Community halls were the social hub and heart of communities in Delta BC in the early 20th century. Annual balls, theatrical performances, movies and dances were all held in the halls that served local communities. In 1920s Ladner, the old McKeeley Hall on Delta St., gave way to the larger Delta Community Hall at the corner of Chisholm and Elliot St. The building served the community from about 1924 to 1968 when it was lost to fire. (Images courtesy of the Delta Archives, accession 1970-001, 2006-025)

10/11/2023

On Remembrance Day, the tomb of the unknown soldier in Ottawa is the gathering place for veterans, families of Canada's fallen heroes and so many more whose lives have been touched by war. The sculpture was created by Mary-Ann Liu, a well-known Canadian artist from Mission, BC.

09/11/2023

Salmon canning for export to Europe was big business in Delta in the late 19th century. By 1895, nearly a third of B.C.’s canneries — which numbered 76 in 1901 — were staffed by Indigenous women. The record of their low paid, traditionally skilled work and contribution to to the financial success of canneries in Delta and around BC are captured in this article by Leah Siegel https://bcanuntoldhistory.knowledge.ca/1890/indigenous-women-in-canneries
Photo credit: BC Archives. Indigenous women cannery workers in Yalis, BC
Photo Credit: Annieville Cannery. Image 1980-052-174 courtesy of the Delta Museum and Archives

01/10/2023

Delta Stageworks' newest show brings mother's stories from the 1920s to the 2020s to the Genesis Theatre stage in Ladner Oct 12-15 (Preview Oct 11). Featuring the 'extraordinary lives of five ordinary women' and a diverse group of talented local actors, the show will capture your heart and make you want to know more about your own mother's story! For more info and tickets visit www.deltastageworks.ca

Delta Stageworks Theatre Society brings together experienced theatre artists and community-based theatre-makers to present innovative new theatre projects for Delta audiences. Using the theatre art practices of devised theatre, site-specific performance as well as traditional forms of theatre, Delta...

07/09/2023

Delta Stageworks brings compelling real-life stories of the 'extraordinary lives of five ordinary women' at the Genesis Theatre in Ladner! Transformational, thought-provoking and funny, this is theatre that will capture your heart and make you want to discover more about your own mother's life story! Senior 15% ticket discount available at www.deltastageworks.ca

08/08/2023

The Delta Heritage Society is leading a FREE 1.5 hr walking tour of the village of Ladner on Sunday Aug 13 @ 1:00 pm. The tour includes a look at historic buildings dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries and social history commentary. Reserve your spot with the City of Delta online and find out where to meet up: https://cityofdelta.perfectmind.com/24140/Clients/BookMe4LandingPages/CoursesLandingPage?widgetId=83ce4775-1cd3-4f8f-8189-768fa00e599a&redirectedFromEmbededMode=False&courseId=6c521317-ed1d-425f-b6f5-ec02f51339ec

21/07/2023

The other popular beach for summer time relaxing with friends in Delta was Tsawwassen beach; facing west to Vancouver Island (south of the present day ferry terminal) with its spectacular sunsets. The Brandwith family delivered milk and produce in a horse and buggy to families who summered in cabins along the shore (Delta Archives photo dated 1936).

07/07/2023

Summers at Boundary Bay beach - a tradition of South Delta living for generations! In the early 1900s cottages were built (look to the right of the beach in the view towards Lily Point in Point Roberts), and by the 1920s it was a well known summer destination for camping for those living south of the Fraser River.

23/03/2023

A little known history of Delta in the 1920s is that of Chinese Canadians who had been settling in the area since the 1880s. Ladner's Chinatown - pictured here - ran west along along the river and was home to some 400 residents. Chinese Canadians like Yip Kew Hun and Lee Lan Fan (Vancouver 1914) were able to build their family roots in BC - that was until the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1923 which denied entry to all people of Chinese heritage until its repeal in 1947. Photos courtesy of the Delta Archives and Vancouver City Archives.